Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day

My daughter, Erika, wrote this poem and created the accompanying graphics in commemoration of the four children she lost through miscarriage. These little saints in heaven, known only by God, are waiting for us!

Millions of women are silently grieving for unknown lives.These quiet women walk among us averting their eyesfrom expectant mothers with proudly rounded belliesAnd arms full of healthy happy babies.For reasons unknown, these women are left alone without recourse,while 'pro-choice' women claim 'buyer's' remorse.Their 'choice' rips and tears the life other women mourn.That is the pain that can not be borne.With no precious babes or children dearThese women feel adrift and neither there nor here.Daggers such as these keep tears unshed.Pain swells and grows and knows no end.Guilt builds with each arrow and slinguntil finally it becomes it's own thing.Eventually, children may grow unencumbered in the womb,but the memory of the lost ones remains beyond the tomb.Long after acceptance creeps in,the mother finds herself thinking, "I wonder when...When did I know?What could I have done?Who should I have told?How should I have been?"Yet in her heart of hearts she knows,Her child is near her still, beneath God's arms in his rainbows.God blesses her little saints, she counts them Eins, Zwei, Drei, Vier.Never again, that pain of loss, will she fear.

UPDATE: Since there seems to be a lot of misconception on the topic of where these little ones go after death - not having had the opportunity for baptism - I'll let the Catechism of the Catholic Church give a response. There is not official doctrine or dogma.

1261 As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus'tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them," 64 allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism. - The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Designs by Birgit

Birgit Jones is a 50-something cradle Catholic who is passionate about the Church and the prolife movement. A graduate of Brescia University, she has employed her Bachelor of Art degree in pursuits ranging from Executive Director of Right to Life groups to Field Representative to Congressman Ron Lewis (R-KY).

She has been married to her Catholic convert husband, Rick, for 40 years. They have four children and eight living grandchildren (all age eleven and under). Their frequent visits eliminate any fear of an empty nest!

Birgit can also be found on her personal blog Designs By Birgit and Facebook fan page Designs By Birgit, where she utilizes her advertising and public relations experience to promote Life through her pro-life memes.